Sales at Gap, the largest U.S. apparel chain, climbed 4 percent, beating the average projection for a 1.4 percent drop from analysts surveyed by Retail Metrics Inc. Target, the second-largest U.S. discount retailer, posted a 7 percent increase in same-store sales, topping the 5 percent estimate.

Warmer weather helped retailers who aggressively rolled out new products, Eric Beder, an analyst at Brean Murray Carret & Co. in New York, said in a report before results were announced. December and January were the warmest in six years, with mild temperatures continuing into February, according to Planalytics, a weather data provider.

“Warm weather could have led to a fairly stellar February,” Joel Bines, head of retail practice at AlixPartners in Dallas, said in a telephone interview before the results. “All indications point to a strong Valentine’s Day and the retail world benefiting from pent-up demand.”

Gap, based in San Francisco, rose 10 percent to $25.70 at 8:12 a.m. in in New York. Minneapolis-based Target climbed 1.3 percent to $57.45.

Same-store sales for the more than 20 companies tracked by Swampscott, Mass.-based researcher Retail Metrics were estimated to rise 3.5 percent. Full results will be available later today.

Most chains count locations open at least a year to tabulate same-store sales. The revenue is as key indicator of a retailer’s growth because new and closed sites are excluded.

Business Women nominations are now open. Nominate women who are Leaders in their field, and Women to Watch, who have potential to be tomorrow's leaders. And, tell us of Career Achievers and Great Mentors! Deadline April 17th.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.